My latest monetary distraction was caused by fellow blogger, Mary Lee. Her post today mentioned a book, 40 Poems in 40 Days. I went to the sites for the two library systems I frequent. Neither of them have the book (not unusual for a professional education book since they're usually quite expensive).
Mary Lee referenced the list of fifteen solid benefits (from the book) for sharing poetry with children. One of her favorites is #7 “Poetry has built-in opportunities for choral reading, group presentations, recitals, and performance.” She celebrated Poetry Friday in her classroom by letting students select a poem (with or without a partner), practice the poem, and then perform it for the class.
I clicked on a link with a preview of the book. I recognized so many of the poets who have contributed to the anthology. I heard Timothy Rasinski speak about word ladders at an educational conference and was intrigued.
My favorite benefit for sharing poetry is #11. "Poetry offers an emotional connection and can reflect and elicit powerful and deeply felt moments." I started Poetry Fridays in my middle school classroom, but rarely had the stamina to continue finding poems each week. Books like this and others that have been published have filled this gap for teachers.
I'm retired, but my oldest two grandsons will be in 3rd grade next year and I have years ahead of me with grandchildren in 3rd - 5th grade (the youngest grands are 3 years old). I look forward to sharing the poems and word play activities with my grandchildren. I think the book makes a perfect gift to myself. Don't you agree?
A gift to yourself is always in order, and when it is a book about poetry it is even better! Now I am going to check it out. 😆
ReplyDeletei too looked it up! but didn't buy it. maybe i will!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, you definitely need that book! I agree about the amazing emotional impact of poems. Sometimes certain poems hit me mysteriously hard, and I'm not even sure why. Magical.
ReplyDeleteAh, Ramona, good for you. I'm glad you bought yourself a book. I like the way you look at it--years of grandchildren in the 3rd-5th grade range. Perfect! My library doesn't have it either, but I have made a note of it. Thank you, Ramona and Mary Lee.
ReplyDeleteBooks are always the perfect gift, but I do wish the professional books weren't so expensive. Your grandkids are so lucky to have a bookish grandma! I think I need to check out that "monetary distraction"...I mean book!
ReplyDeleteI TOTALLY agree! You'll love it, and your grands will benefit!
ReplyDeleteNewtreemom
ReplyDeleteI always hear about the best books from you! When it comes to poetry, I know you know Charles and Irene… they have a new anthology out this week. Hopefully, it will come to your library. They have another workshop at Highlights coming up this fall, too, that includes Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Georgia Heard. I’m sure you know anthologies from Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell. (I have a poem in two of them!)
We should go to the Highlights workshop. What a crew!
DeleteYou are making me miss the classroom (just a little bit), because I would totally do poetry Fridays! But now you've given me an idea for library lessons come April and May. What a great way to wrap up the year, with a feast of spoken wordplay!
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